CSA 'disappointed' over Collier claims

Jacques Faul, CSA's acting CEO, has voiced his displeasure over the fallout of the Kevin Pietersen saga, with South African players being blamed for playing a role in the controversy. His comments come a day after the ECB chief executive David Collier suggested South African players had provoked Pietersen into the exchange of messages that led to him being dropped earlier this summer.

"I am very disappointed that this has played out in the media," Faul told ESPNcricinfo. "It is absolutely not true that our players provoked Pietersen."

CSA later issued a statement on the issue in which Faul added: "What is particularly disappointing is that I had a face-to-face meeting with Mr Collier when I was in London for the Lord's Test match. He did not raise this allegation with me then and I would have thought as a matter of courtesy and decency he would have spoken to me about it before going public in the media.

"It is not the way CSA goes about its business and it is not the way the ECB have done business with us in the past either. It is very disappointing because in the past our relationships with the ECB have always been cordial and constructive.

"This is an internal ECB matter in which we do not wish to be involved. It served as a distraction to our players that we did not need during the Test series."

Media reports had also suggested that the South African board was pondering legal action over Collier's claims, but a senior CSA official denied any such move.

Collier had said on Sunday that he believed the messages were a South African strategy to unsettle England. "I think there was a tactic which was used," Collier said. "I think that is sadly some of the ways of modern sport."

Last week, the ECB announced a process of "reintegration" for Pietersen following his exile from the team during the summer after it was revealed he had sent provocative messages to the South Africans. Initially it was claimed these included tactical advice on how to dismiss Andrew Strauss although this has since been denied.

@davidpk on (October 09 2012, 09:20 AM GMT)/ Long-Leg on (October 09 2012, 09:13 AM GMT) You have to laugh really. Collier says KP was provoked into sending the texts which Giles said were not derogatory? Sounds like one member of the ECB is denying there is anything bad in the texts whereas the other is admitting they were bad but trying to pass the buck elsewhere. Please publish this time

edgie
on October 10, 2012, 6:30 GMT

This is actually a face-saving move by the ECB. The only way for them to show that they "support" KP, and that infact they were intially not at fault for the way they handled KP. Really sad actually becasue one will never know really what traspired re the text messages.
However one thing is for certain, the ECB really don't know how to handle their players and staff...

JG2704
on October 9, 2012, 12:59 GMT

Without knowing the full facts I think SA player(s) probably got what they wanted without doing much wrong apart from maybe abuse KP's trust.I mean firstly none of this would have happened if A-KP either kept his opinions in check or was more choosy with who he shared his opinions with and B- Someone from the SA camp didn't try (and succeeded) in stirring it.I don't blame really the SA player(s) as KP is an adult and is totally responsible for his actions. Again , no one knows what was said in the texts but I still believe they were deragotory because why would KP not have come forward straight away and also what was he apologising for if they weren't? I have a theory that because there was no actual evidence ECB were on a sticky wicket keeping KP out and were legally forced into a corner.It seems strange that Clarke and Collier are singing from different hymnsheets.Collier is saying KP was provoked into sending texts which Clarke said he believed weren't derogatory anyway.

Newlandsfaithful
on October 9, 2012, 10:49 GMT

It must be hard being David Collier....

bumsonseats
on October 9, 2012, 9:20 GMT

im not sure if texting comments about your captain to the team you are just playing a test series against is an event that any board could just let go as some mentioned. did the saffers make the most of the texting, you bet. do i blame them of course not. not sure what his thought process was to do it, would any other player do similar im not sure but i doubt it.

Long-Leg
on October 9, 2012, 9:13 GMT

Collier may be right, but he is stupid to say it without evidence. He should shut up and let the whole thing run its course with as little comment as possible. The ECB have done well to hold a line here, under great pressure from outside influences. However, the whole thing is rapidly turning into a soap opera. I'm now sick of the whole saga and I suspect the rest of the world is too.

dummy4fb
on October 9, 2012, 4:55 GMT

ha ha this is typical ECB, nothing new!!!!!

Meety
on October 9, 2012, 0:31 GMT

This sage never ends. Superficially I would say that Faul is on the moral high ground. Collier needs to eother put up or shut.....

demon_bowler
on October 9, 2012, 0:30 GMT

Of course the South Africans were playing a game. After all, someone leaked Pietersen's text messages. The point is, though, the SA almost undoubtedly only expected to cause some friction in the England camp. It was the ECB that stupidly decided to turn the matter into a capital offence, turning a mild embarrassment into a divisive row with our best batsman.

loudmouth
on October 9, 2012, 0:20 GMT

Does David Collier understand that he's at a press conference and that he's trying to put this whole silly facade behind them? I don't think so. Really amateur stuff. Just like the handling of KP sacking as England captain the ECB seem to think they are bigger than the players and the team. Step back and let KP and the rest of the team play their best cricket. Too many cooks.....

JG2704
on October 10, 2012, 12:52 GMT

@davidpk on (October 09 2012, 09:20 AM GMT)/ Long-Leg on (October 09 2012, 09:13 AM GMT) You have to laugh really. Collier says KP was provoked into sending the texts which Giles said were not derogatory? Sounds like one member of the ECB is denying there is anything bad in the texts whereas the other is admitting they were bad but trying to pass the buck elsewhere. Please publish this time

edgie
on October 10, 2012, 6:30 GMT

This is actually a face-saving move by the ECB. The only way for them to show that they "support" KP, and that infact they were intially not at fault for the way they handled KP. Really sad actually becasue one will never know really what traspired re the text messages.
However one thing is for certain, the ECB really don't know how to handle their players and staff...

JG2704
on October 9, 2012, 12:59 GMT

Without knowing the full facts I think SA player(s) probably got what they wanted without doing much wrong apart from maybe abuse KP's trust.I mean firstly none of this would have happened if A-KP either kept his opinions in check or was more choosy with who he shared his opinions with and B- Someone from the SA camp didn't try (and succeeded) in stirring it.I don't blame really the SA player(s) as KP is an adult and is totally responsible for his actions. Again , no one knows what was said in the texts but I still believe they were deragotory because why would KP not have come forward straight away and also what was he apologising for if they weren't? I have a theory that because there was no actual evidence ECB were on a sticky wicket keeping KP out and were legally forced into a corner.It seems strange that Clarke and Collier are singing from different hymnsheets.Collier is saying KP was provoked into sending texts which Clarke said he believed weren't derogatory anyway.

Newlandsfaithful
on October 9, 2012, 10:49 GMT

It must be hard being David Collier....

bumsonseats
on October 9, 2012, 9:20 GMT

im not sure if texting comments about your captain to the team you are just playing a test series against is an event that any board could just let go as some mentioned. did the saffers make the most of the texting, you bet. do i blame them of course not. not sure what his thought process was to do it, would any other player do similar im not sure but i doubt it.

Long-Leg
on October 9, 2012, 9:13 GMT

Collier may be right, but he is stupid to say it without evidence. He should shut up and let the whole thing run its course with as little comment as possible. The ECB have done well to hold a line here, under great pressure from outside influences. However, the whole thing is rapidly turning into a soap opera. I'm now sick of the whole saga and I suspect the rest of the world is too.

dummy4fb
on October 9, 2012, 4:55 GMT

ha ha this is typical ECB, nothing new!!!!!

Meety
on October 9, 2012, 0:31 GMT

This sage never ends. Superficially I would say that Faul is on the moral high ground. Collier needs to eother put up or shut.....

demon_bowler
on October 9, 2012, 0:30 GMT

Of course the South Africans were playing a game. After all, someone leaked Pietersen's text messages. The point is, though, the SA almost undoubtedly only expected to cause some friction in the England camp. It was the ECB that stupidly decided to turn the matter into a capital offence, turning a mild embarrassment into a divisive row with our best batsman.

loudmouth
on October 9, 2012, 0:20 GMT

Does David Collier understand that he's at a press conference and that he's trying to put this whole silly facade behind them? I don't think so. Really amateur stuff. Just like the handling of KP sacking as England captain the ECB seem to think they are bigger than the players and the team. Step back and let KP and the rest of the team play their best cricket. Too many cooks.....

gibbs.175
on October 8, 2012, 20:18 GMT

KP ...go back to home (SOUTH AFRICA) ..it is good for u...whatever man achieved in life ,be great but motherland is the most precious......England insulting u....!good luck

SAF-Fan-no-1
on October 8, 2012, 10:03 GMT

When the England are lossing this kind of natural game then this kind of Activities come-up. England can't take it when the loose. False no one ranked over and again desprate to retain their WCT20 title, but end of the England is totaly rubbish. If I in ECB - I should fire Swan, Broad, Bopara and Bresnon and keeping in Onion, Tremlet and Pannesor. Our Tema should be for India is Cook, Trot, Bell, Samit Patel, Anderson, Onion, Tremlet, Finny, Morgan, Prior, and Always KP and Young Bartshaw and James. - Would you agree? Broad and Swann and Bopara Bressnon can't pay can't bowl in India. In history no one win the Series in India since 70 to 80 years. They are always great in their Home.

No featured comments at the moment.

SAF-Fan-no-1
on October 8, 2012, 10:03 GMT

When the England are lossing this kind of natural game then this kind of Activities come-up. England can't take it when the loose. False no one ranked over and again desprate to retain their WCT20 title, but end of the England is totaly rubbish. If I in ECB - I should fire Swan, Broad, Bopara and Bresnon and keeping in Onion, Tremlet and Pannesor. Our Tema should be for India is Cook, Trot, Bell, Samit Patel, Anderson, Onion, Tremlet, Finny, Morgan, Prior, and Always KP and Young Bartshaw and James. - Would you agree? Broad and Swann and Bopara Bressnon can't pay can't bowl in India. In history no one win the Series in India since 70 to 80 years. They are always great in their Home.

gibbs.175
on October 8, 2012, 20:18 GMT

KP ...go back to home (SOUTH AFRICA) ..it is good for u...whatever man achieved in life ,be great but motherland is the most precious......England insulting u....!good luck

loudmouth
on October 9, 2012, 0:20 GMT

Does David Collier understand that he's at a press conference and that he's trying to put this whole silly facade behind them? I don't think so. Really amateur stuff. Just like the handling of KP sacking as England captain the ECB seem to think they are bigger than the players and the team. Step back and let KP and the rest of the team play their best cricket. Too many cooks.....

demon_bowler
on October 9, 2012, 0:30 GMT

Of course the South Africans were playing a game. After all, someone leaked Pietersen's text messages. The point is, though, the SA almost undoubtedly only expected to cause some friction in the England camp. It was the ECB that stupidly decided to turn the matter into a capital offence, turning a mild embarrassment into a divisive row with our best batsman.

Meety
on October 9, 2012, 0:31 GMT

This sage never ends. Superficially I would say that Faul is on the moral high ground. Collier needs to eother put up or shut.....

dummy4fb
on October 9, 2012, 4:55 GMT

ha ha this is typical ECB, nothing new!!!!!

Long-Leg
on October 9, 2012, 9:13 GMT

Collier may be right, but he is stupid to say it without evidence. He should shut up and let the whole thing run its course with as little comment as possible. The ECB have done well to hold a line here, under great pressure from outside influences. However, the whole thing is rapidly turning into a soap opera. I'm now sick of the whole saga and I suspect the rest of the world is too.

bumsonseats
on October 9, 2012, 9:20 GMT

im not sure if texting comments about your captain to the team you are just playing a test series against is an event that any board could just let go as some mentioned. did the saffers make the most of the texting, you bet. do i blame them of course not. not sure what his thought process was to do it, would any other player do similar im not sure but i doubt it.

Newlandsfaithful
on October 9, 2012, 10:49 GMT

It must be hard being David Collier....

JG2704
on October 9, 2012, 12:59 GMT

Without knowing the full facts I think SA player(s) probably got what they wanted without doing much wrong apart from maybe abuse KP's trust.I mean firstly none of this would have happened if A-KP either kept his opinions in check or was more choosy with who he shared his opinions with and B- Someone from the SA camp didn't try (and succeeded) in stirring it.I don't blame really the SA player(s) as KP is an adult and is totally responsible for his actions. Again , no one knows what was said in the texts but I still believe they were deragotory because why would KP not have come forward straight away and also what was he apologising for if they weren't? I have a theory that because there was no actual evidence ECB were on a sticky wicket keeping KP out and were legally forced into a corner.It seems strange that Clarke and Collier are singing from different hymnsheets.Collier is saying KP was provoked into sending texts which Clarke said he believed weren't derogatory anyway.